the need to add additional aging temperatures, or to have
replacement specimens available for any specimens that are
found during the screening test to be unsuitable for use in
thermal aging.
10. Calibration and Standardization
10.1 Expose the test material to at least three aging tem-
peratures. The preferred number of aging temperatures is four.
10.2 Minimum thermal life target values for the high and
low temperatures shall be selected based on application.
10.3 Aging temperatures shall differ by at least 10 °C.
NOTE 2—Experience has shown that the suggested target thermal life
values listed in Table 1 are generally satisfactory.
11. Selection of Aging Cycles
11.1 To provide approximately equal exposures to the other
conditionings, and to more accurately determine the property
endpoint, the heat aging time per cycle shall be shorter for the
higher aging temperatures and longer for the lower aging
temperatures.
11.2 Cycle times shall be selected such that each set
undergoes an adequate (but not excessive) number of cycles
before completion. In order to obtain an appropriate number of
cycles, the following adjustments to the cycle time are recom-
mended:
11.2.1 If no specimens in a set fail by the end of the 4
th
cycle, double the heat aging period of the test cycle.
11.2.2 If three or more specimens in a set fail by the end of
the 4
th
cycle, halve the heat aging period of the test cycle.
11.2.3 Use observations in the highest temperature set to
select appropriate adjustments to the other temperature sets.
NOTE 3—Experience has shown that the suggested cycle times in Table
1are generally satisfactory.
12. Initial Value Test
12.1 To determine an initial dielectric strength level, at least
twenty specimens shall be selected at random from the sample
and subjected to a voltage breakdown test.
12.2 Connect one electrode of the tester to the uncoated end
of the specimen. Suspend the coated end of the specimen in the
electrically conductive solution described in 6.3.2 (see Fig. 2).
The total surface area to be tested shall be sufficient to be
representative of the intended application.
12.3 Apply voltage uniformly to the test electrode in accor-
dance with the guidelines of the Short-Time Test described in
12.2.1 of Test Method D149, unless another rate is specified,
until breakdown occurs.
12.4 Make one measurement on each specimen and com-
pute the average dielectric breakdown voltage for the set.
Record this as the initial value.
13. Screening Test
13.1 Prior to thermal aging, all specimens shall be subjected
to a screening test in order to remove defective units. Any
specimen that cannot pass the screening test shall be discarded
and a replacement specimen selected for thermal aging.
13.2 Select a screening test voltage level that is a percentage
of the average initial value.
13.3 Select a screening test period of time that is expected to
cause failure in weak specimens without causing damage to the
remaining specimens.
NOTE 4—Experience has shown that a screening test voltage level of
75 % of the initial value for a period of 10 s is generally satisfactory.
13.4 Suspend each specimen in the electrically conductive
solution in the same manner as described for the initial value
test. Apply voltage uniformly to the test electrode in accor-
dance with the guidelines of the Short-Time Test described in
12.2.1 of Test Method D149, unless another rate is specified,
until the screening voltage level is achieved. Maintain the
voltage for the screening test period before removing the
voltage from the specimen.
13.5 Discard any specimen that breaks down. Specimens
that do not break down during the screening test are acceptable
for use in the thermal aging.
14. Procedure
14.1 Thermal Aging of Specimens—Tag four sets of speci-
mens by any reliably permanent means and expose the sets in
the oven at each of the selected temperatures. Position the sets
so that free movement of air exists across the entire specimen.
14.2 Stress Cycling:
14.2.1 Following the completion of each thermal exposure,
all specimens in the set shall be removed from the oven and
allowed to cool to 23 °C 62 °C.
14.2.2 All specimens shall then be subjected to a cold
exposure and allowed to reach equilibrium with the cold
environment.
14.2.2.1 If the coating resin is intended for outdoor
applications, the cold exposure temperature shall be minus
20.0 °C 62.0 °C [minus 4.0 °F 63.6 °F].
14.2.2.2 If the coating resin is intended for indoor
applications, the cold exposure temperature shall be 0.0 °C 6
2.0 °C [32.0 °F 63.6 °F].
14.2.3 Following the cold exposure, all specimens shall be
allowed to return to 23 °C 62 °C.
14.2.4 All specimens shall then be mounted on a shake table
and operated for a period of 10 000 cycles with a 60 Hz
oscillating motion and an acceleration of 7 G’s.
14.2.4.1 The specimens shall be mounted such that the
motion occurs at right angles to the largest flat surface of the
specimen and parallel to the smallest flat surface of the
specimen (see Fig. 3).
14.2.5 Following the vibration exposure, all specimens shall
be placed into a humidity exposure for a minimum of 24 h at
TABLE 1 Suggested Cycle Times and Target Lives
Temperature Set Cycle Time Target Life
High Temperature 48–72 h 400–700 h
Middle High Temperature 168 h 1000–1500 h
Middle Low Temperature 336 h 2000–3000 h
Low Temperature 504 h 5000+ h
D7895/D7895M − 19 (2025)
3